Yet lest we think that enjoyment of so glorious a gift belongs indiscriminately to all, even to those who are not good and illumined by divine fear, He immediately introduces those who love Him. By this He clearly shows that such incomparable grace can be received by no others except those who have resolved to lead the best life. Such are those who love Him.
Christ will indeed raise the bodies of all men, for both the good and the evil will rise. Yet it will not be granted to all indiscriminately to live again unto glory and blessedness. Clearly, some will receive resurrection only for punishment, and will have a life more bitter than any death. Others, passing eternal years in blessedness, will live the truly desirable and holy life.
That those who at the judgment are to receive from Christ a sentence of punishment will remain without share in the blessed life, although they will receive the resurrection common to the saints, He indicates in the words: “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (Jn 3:36).
Notice that although all, both good and evil, await resurrection, He says that those subject to the charge of disobedience shall by no means see life. Without doubt, He calls life not merely resurrection, but, with full justice, resurrection in rest, glory, and blessedness. This is spiritual blessedness, and no other.
The spiritual form of blessedness is perfect knowledge of God and the exact revelation of the mysteries of Christ. It shows us no longer, as now, in a mirror and in an enigma, the obscure outlines of what is sought. Rather, it reveals everything in us with complete clarity and brightness, and makes knowledge most perfect. For “what is in part will pass away,” according to Paul (1 Cor 13:10).
Therefore our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us that the promise of the future revelation of glory belongs most fittingly and properly to those who fulfill His divine instructions, not to those who think and act contrary to them. So He most profitably added to what had been said: “He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me.”
“He has the commandments” who has accepted the faith and, through good memory, has brought into his mind the pure and clear instruction of the Gospel commandments. He also fulfills them in action and strives to be distinguished by the glory of his deeds.
Therefore he is perfect and wholly devoted to piety who is distinguished by both faith and deed, being attested in the holiness that accords with Christ’s teaching. For “by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established,” as it is written (2 Cor 13:1; Deut 19:15).
Such a man God the Father will justly love, and no less the Son also. For as He is consubstantial, so He is also of one will (συνεϑελητής) with His Begetter. Where there is one essence, there is certainly one desire, and one purpose in all things. There is no disagreement or division into different wills.
To those deemed worthy of divine love, He promises to give a glorious reward and to crown them with gifts beyond speech. “I will manifest Myself to him,” He says.
Pure words concerning the vision of God will belong to the pure. Christ shines among them, clearly guiding them by His Spirit in all that is needful. By certain ineffable lights in their minds, He reveals and manifests Himself.
Those who have once received Him will be blessed and zealous for Him. To such, it seems to me, the prophet David says: “I will hear what the Lord God will speak in me” (Ps 84:9). Likewise the divine Apostle himself writes to us in the Epistle: “Do you seek proof that Christ speaks in me?” (2 Cor 13:3).
For He speaks in the saints through the Spirit, revealing the mysteries both concerning Himself and other things besides. Therefore, having understood them exactly, they say at one time: “God has revealed them to us through the Spirit” (1 Cor 2:10). Again they say: “We have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor 2:16), calling His Spirit His mind.
THEOSIS